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November 16, 2005
scordatura
PAS/CAL, taking a left turn from the viciously delightful 'The Summer Is Almost Here', have grafted some gorgeous pop vocals from Casimer Pascal onto a framework of leaden drums and dusty bass (the band has created a backing track here that's very early Liars-esque, esp. in the reverb-craquelure guitar tone), and wow it works better than anyone could have guessed. For whatever reason, one of the first things that popped into my head when I heard this song was Duchamp's "The Bride Stripped Bare By Her Bachelors, Even", maybe it's the disconnect between Casimer's calm, airy vocals, and the almost utilitarian seriousness of the music (listen to it: it's all-business)- but it reminds me of the disarmingly pretty way "Bride Stripped..." expresses the dynamic between the bride (gas cloud) and her interested parties (mobiles, lampshades, hangers, inscrutable pipes) via basic media that amount to construction materials, dirt, and automotive supplies.
What I mean to say is that this is a great song.
The story with PAS/CAL is that they are still recording their debut album, "Salvation Army Wardrobe" "Citizen's Army Uniform" (apologies for the wrong info). This version of 'Dear Sir' may or may not be taken from a session that the band did a little ways back, which Casimer talks about on the band's we're-in-the-studio blog. Essentially he says that the band worked on some arrangements that were "based on improvised structures". Although these songs (or versions of songs) may not end up on the final album, Pascal says that the experience of that prior recording session has definitely given them some new insight into what direction they want to take in the current session. Which is a good thing (and hopefully means they can get this LP finished soon).
If you haven't already, go by the band's website (which is where I got this song) and listen to the other songs they have at the bottom of the page- all of them are gems (but I will extra-recommend 'What Happened to the Sands?', cause I love it).
Posted by Kevin at November 16, 2005 12:41 AM
Comments
Dear sir or madame,
I am part of the PAS/CAL camp (curator of Romantic Air Records & friend of the group). Thanks for posting that song and the kind words regarding it. I would like to correct something, though. The name of the group's forthcoming record is tentatively entitled, "Citizens Army Uniform". Apparently it is some sort of Yeats reference.
Great site, btw.
Signed,
Bernard Levine, esq.
www.romanticair.com
Posted by: Bernard Levine at November 16, 2005 09:25 AM
Sorry about that, Bernard. Made the change above. Thanks for stopping by!
Posted by: Kevin at November 16, 2005 06:52 PM